Something a spider once taught me…

I’m up late…battling a headache, a cantankerous computer and missing Derek. I don’t know why he is on my mind tonight. Must be the spiders!

Jim was bitten a couple of nights ago and I killed one in the kitchen yesterday. Tonight, one dangled from the ceiling over my head as I looked up at it.

Why does this remind me of Derek? Once Jim, Derek and I were fishing and at dusk, we came off the water and started to drag our john boat up an embankment, to our jeep on the other side. As we did, Derek went through a spider web. This totally freaked him out. And then, not ten minutes down the road, as Jim was driving, Derek felt a spider on him and nearly caused Jim to wreck as he shrieked and jumped to get it off of him.

I remember when I was a child and the bushes outside our home would have spiders that left behind pictures for us…writing spiders we called them. Usually, you only saw the design they left behind. Some webs were very intricate, but most were like a zipper. And if you were up early, and the dew was on them, with the sun shining, they looked like a exquisite necklace. I remember how beautiful the spiders were too. Bright greens and brownish-reds, some with a golden color. Sometimes we tapped the webs, like an unfortunate bug landing, to try to trick the spider to come from its hiding place so we could see one. I always thought it was good luck if you saw one of the spiders. But then again, they were always outside!

But I do notice that they continue to make web no matter where I find them. I’m amazed at the webs I find in the windows and on the ceiling. Once, I found a web in the opening of a pair of shoes that I’d had off my feet less than four hours. That was a busy fellow.

Spiders eat other insects; they are, in their own environment, a blessing to have around. I love to see them in the garden, on the bushes, even outside the front and side doors. But in the house…not a good idea. I don’t want them there and I’m sure, if they had their choise, they’d be somewhere else as well.

Do you ever feel like that? Like you are one place in your life and would like to be some place else? I know when the boys were young, there were times I wished they were older. Now that Derek is in Colorado and we see so little of Craig, I find myself missing my “little guys”.

There are other things I miss. I miss my job. I miss being able to drive and go where I want without asking for help. I miss quilting and reading as long as I want.

But God has shown me that, even though he has a plan for me, there are many opportunities for growth and outreach on the road back to what I pray will be a full recovery. While I’m “displaced”, as I sometimes feel…there are things for me to be doing. Spinning that web…finding opportunities. To all of you who inquired because I have been blog-free for several days, thank you for your concern. And your reminder of what I am supposed to be doing, to feel placed and not displaced.

If you are feeling a bit displaced today, take time to ask God if he has you in a particular situation or circumstance for a reason. Ask him to show you the reason. Then wait. But while you wait…spin your web. Speak of him to those who will listen; show his love through your actions by those watching. Because people will watch and listen…and much can be accomplished during the wait.

This is called the miracle on the way to a miracle…you never know what life’s “interruptions” will bring you.

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” “But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me. “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” –John 8